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New training aims to make officers more compassionate

The hat that the Manchester police chief wants his officers to choose as often as they possibly can is the compassionate, caring hat that guides a person toward the treatment they need instead of a jail cell.

The hat that the Manchester police chief wants his officers to choose as often as they possibly can is the compassionate, caring hat that guides a person toward the treatment they need instead of a jail cell.

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Updated: 6:55 PM EST Feb 24, 2016

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WEBVTT SAY TREATMENT INSTEAD OF INCARCERATION IS A WIN-WIN. REPORTER: POLICE OFFICERS WEAR A LOT OF HATS, NEGOTIATOR, ENFORCER, TICK WRITER. BUT THE ONE THE CHIEF WANTS HIS OFFICERS TO CHOOSE AS MUCH AS THEY CAN IS THAT OF A CARING AND COMPASSIONATE HAT, ONE THAT DRIVES A PERSON TOWARD TREATMENT INSTEAD OF A JAIL CELL. INTENSE, REALISTIC ROLE PLAYING, IN A CLASSROOM AT MANCHESTER P.D. >> THE LADY DOWNSTAIRS TOOK MY MEDICINE AND -- REPORTER: HE'S A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST BASED IN NEW YORK, TRAINING OFFICERS AROUND THE COUNTRY, HOW TO RECOGNIZE MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOW TO RESPOND. >> THEY'RE HUNGRY FOR TRAINING AND THEY WANT TO BETTER THEIR SKILLS. REPORTER: EXPERTS SAY THE FIRST GOAL IS TO GET THE UNSTABLE PERSON INTO CUSTODY, WITHOUT USING FORCE, WHILE KEEPING THE OFFICER SAFE AND IMPROVING THE PERCEPTION OF POLICE IN THE COMMUNITY. MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE ENCOURAGED BY THIS TYPE OF TRAINING. >> OUR HOPE IS THAT THE POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE MORE RESPONSIVE AND LESS REACTIVE, SO THAT OUR OUTCOMES ARE SUCH THAT THEY'RE GETTING PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT. REPORTER: THE JAIL HAS 495 INMATES RIGHT NOW, THEY ESTIMATE THAT ANY GIVEN TILE 70% OF THOSE BEING HELD HERE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS LIKELY TO ADMIT IT TO STAFF BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. CHIEF WILLARD SAYS WAR VETERANS WITH PTSD ARE ADDING TO THAT POPULATION WHO MAY BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. >> ONCE THE OFFICERS MAKE THAT ASSESSMENT THEY TALK IN A LOWER VOICE, THEY DON'T MAKE AGGRESSIVE HAS BEEN GESTURES, THEY GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF CONTROL, TO THE PERSON THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH BY GIVING THEM OPTIONS. REPORTER: MENTAL HEALTH COURT IS ON THURSDAY IN MANCHESTER, IT OFFERS PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO OPT FOR TREATMENT OVER INCARCERATION. IF THE SUSPECT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES TREATMENT THE CHARGES COULD BE REDUCED OR DROPPED. IT IS A WIN-WIN ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS AND WORKING

New training aims to make officers more compassionate

The hat that the Manchester police chief wants his officers to choose as often as they possibly can is the compassionate, caring hat that guides a person toward the treatment they need instead of a jail cell.